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Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The ABC & Kids Expo: Our Experience (HINT ALERT!!)

As most of you know, at the end of September we traveled all the way to Louisville, KY, USA from Canada to attend the ABC (All baby and child) kid expo. It was an exciting event and was an amazing opportunity to see some of the coolest baby/kid products, both new and established businesses alike.Wewere also blessed with the opportunity to meet some of the wonderful people behind the businesses we've already worked with like Skye, Amy, and Sandy from Baby Half Off and Meredith from The I Like Book.

Since we began our business in December of 2010, Cat and I have been overwhelmed with the positive reaction we've received from the vendors we've worked with, and we continue to be amazed by their support and commitment to the entirety of what our business has become. As we always explain to our potential participants, without the success of the businesses we've worked with we would not be where we are today.

I would like to introduce you to some new companies who signed up at the ABC show. Some of these products have already made their way into a bundle, and some are coming in the very near future! The following companies appear in no particular order.1. Super Undies- Looking for potty training pants that actually help improve the time it takes to potty train? Look no further! Super Undies™ potty training pants are the perfect thing to get your hero excited about potty training! Pants that give your child the powerful feeling of being a big kid! With our potty training pants, specially designed to look like big-kid underwear, we give the child something exciting to assist in the potty training experience. Colorful materials, durable construction, and relatable super heroes all merge together in a product that will allow your hero to feel like they are a part of something bigger - and responsible for their own potty time. They will have the power to use the toilet more effectively, and the confidence to continue the difficult task. Super undies will appear in a special Toddler/cloth bundle toward the end of the year.

2. Poopy Doo Diaper disposal bags- Have you tried putting a wet soiled diaper into one of those weak and leaky plastic grocery bags? Have you rolled them up only to find that they have somehow magically opened up? What a mess!

Now, diaper disposal can be as easy as can be. With Poopy Doo Diaper Disposal Bags.

They are specifically made, treated and sized for easy, convenient diaper disposal. They wont leak and they're easy to tie. Poopy Doo Diaper Disposal Bags are slightly scented, non-toxic and bio-degradable. And they'll fit neatly into your pocket, purse or fanny pack (prior to use of course). Keep them in the nursery, leave a pack at grandma's house, carry them in the car and throw a pack in the diaper bag. Poopy Doo Diaper Disposal Bags go everywhere you do!

When it's time for a change, try Poopy Doo Diaper Disposal Bags. Available in individual packages of 12 or 50 bags.

4. Dipe n' go- the Dipe N' Go portable changing mat has been specially designed to hold everything a parent on the go needs to take care of their child's diaper changing needs! This all in one "changing station" is made of soft, machine washable fabric which has multiple pockets for everything from spare diapers to powder and wipes. The Dipe n' go will appear in an upcoming Baby Bundle.

5. Eco-Nuts- Eco Nuts™are completely sustainable dried fruit shells that come from the Sapindus mukorossi tree (also called the Soap Berry or Soap Nut Tree) in Nepal, India and Indonesia. The berries we harvest come from high up in the Himalayas and are the highest quality “soap nut” on the market. These fruit shells have been used in India and China for centuries, and are now gaining popularity in America and Europe as a renewable, biodegradable and organic alternative to chemical detergents and expensive “green” laundry soaps.

Eco Nuts™ contain saponin, a natural cleaner that works as a surfactant, breaking the surface tension of the water to penetrate the fibers of your clothing, lifting stains from the fabric and leaving dirt suspended in the water that is rinsed away.

Eco Nuts™ are gentle on both clothes and skin, making them ideal for those with sensitive skin, eczema, allergies and psoriasis. Because they are so mild, they are perfect for baby clothes and cloth diapers. All-Natural Eco Nuts™ are also great for septic and grey water systems. But don’t expect these shells to foam up like commercial soaps, which have artificial foaming agents. Foam simply does not represent cleaning power.

Eco Nuts™ are wild-harvested, meaning they are gathered from wild trees grown without any kind of chemicals, fertilizers, or pesticides. The saponin actually tastes bad to insects so no pesticides are needed, and the trees naturally love poor uncultivated soil. They are organically grown by mother earth and certified USDA Organic by EcoCert at the source. Eco Nuts lip balm was featured in a recent Mama Bundle and we have had Eco Nuts sample packages in two past bundles.

6. Bibby Wrap-The bibby wrap protects shirt collar with an adjustable neck for a perfect fit. It covers and protects shoulders and sleeves and made of thick, quality fabric.

This one step, easy on bib eliminates struggling with your child. The bibby wraps will appear in an upcoming Baby Bundle.

8. No Throw Bottle tether and Pacifier tether- the bottle tether is designed for 3 months plus. Karla and Marisa have designed the No Throw tether to strap around and fit tightly onto children's baby bottles and sippy cups. The No Throw's leash styled handle can strap or be slipped over the seat belt that are attached to your child's car seat, stroller, bike seat, high chair, baby-backpack, you name it!.

The pacifier tether is designed for newborn +. They have designed a metal clip that will secure tightly to your baby's clothing- this way when your baby spits out their pacifier it will not fall on the ground and get dirty or get lost ever again, it will stay attached and is always easy to find. These products will appear in upcoming baby and cloth bundles.

9. Steri-bottle- Steri-bottle® is the exciting single-use feeding bottle that’s ready to use out of the box and 100% recyclable. With a choice of 5 or 10 bottles and nipples per box and Steri-bottle is made of a safe Bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalate free plastic. Convenient anytime, at home or on the move, there is literally nothing like it for taking the time and stress out of bottle-preparation and giving you an extra bit of your life back… Steri-bottles will appear in an upcoming baby bundle.

10. The Bumble Collection- Since its inception in 1999, the Bumble Collection continues as a leader in the children’s industry, providing fashionable accessories to its ever-growing fan base of celebrity and mainstream moms. Deeply rooted in fashion forward trends, the Bumble Collection is dedicated to making products that better equip mothers for the challenges of motherhood. Each product is distinguished in the marketplace by its quality, durability and an exclusive hand-designed print. All products from the Bumble Collection are made of the finest materials using an all-natural process without the use of synthetic preservatives as we respect and embrace the value of sustainability and it's effects on the environment. As always, we subject all products to many months of focus group testing to ensure safety and "mommy approval". The Bumble Collection hopes to continue bringing their products to moms who believe that the post-partum period is no exception for fashion. The Bumble Collection will appear in an upcoming Mama Bundle.

12. Leslie's Boutique- Leslie's Boutique strives to create beautiful, stylish, functional products for baby, mom, and home. Our USA-made products are made of high quality designer fabrics that are fresh and fun. They create products that are simple to use, provide solutions for an otherwise wasteful disposable product, and are stylish for all tastes.

Their main products, cloth diapering wet bags have given inspiration for other reusable solutions for the modern baby, mom, and home. Leslie's products can be found at fine retailers across the globe. Leslie's Boutique is a family-owned Michigan company and all products are made in America.

13. Apple Cheeks- Ilana and Amy are so thrilled to introduce the fabulous washable diapering system know as AppleCheeks! These ecologically-minded business women really know what they are talking about when it comes to washable diapering not only from their own personal experiences, but also because they have listened to their customers over the years. And they are so thrilled to be bringing this proudly Canadian-made system to you! Join the AppleCheeks revolution and see for yourself how easy being green can be! Applecheeks have appeared in several cloth bundles recently.

15. Baby Ankees- The Original Baby Ankees® "Keeps the feet-ees in the sleep-ees"™ This wonderful new Mom-Invented product is great for preemies, newborns and toddlers who wear footed pajamas.Now babies can get longer uses from their sleepers because their little feet stay inside! Premature babies can wear newborn sleepers! Toddlers can crawl around...but not right into their sleepers! The Original Baby Ankees® are approved by Health Canada and are made from soft 100% cotton terry and are machine washable. Baby ankees will appear in our upcoming Christmas Bundle.

16. Purse Keyper- PurseKeyper is the result of a mom of three girls who is a former teacher, home décor fabricator, over the top birthday cake baker, and craft maker extraordinaire, who was always coming up with inventions. Some of them have been good ideas, but none got the attention of the three daughters like PurseKeyper.Growing up in a small town of Somerset, Kentucky, the three daughters, Dana, Amy, and Kelly, have a large age difference between them and have found it difficult at times to find things to agree on. The idea of PurseKeyper, a device that combined fashion and convenience doing everyday routines was something they all agreed on from the start. Purse Keyper will appear in a VERY near future Mama Bundle.

17. NiNi Toy Bungee- The creators of this product are parents themselves, they know firsthand the importance of durable, cool, functional, and quality products, especially when it comes to what we value the most – our children. They are very proud of their first product, the Toy Bungee™. And have added two new complementary products to round up the NiNi family. In addition to Toy Bungee, our Paci Bungee™ and Crayon Bungee™ add a whole new dimension to the concept of chic, functional, easy-to-clean and affordable products to help make today’s busy mom and dad’s life just a little easier. The NiNi Toy Bungee will appear in our upcoming Christmas Bundle.

18. My Dentist's Choice Tooth Tissues- Tooth Tissues are disposable textured dental wipes specially designed to help remove plaque from your baby and toddler’s teeth and gums. Tooth Tissues are perfect for busy new parents eager to get their child off to a healthy start. Formulated with xylitol – a natural cavity fighter, use Tooth Tissues with confidence because they are all natural, fluoride-free and paraben-free. Tooth tissues will appear in various upcoming bundles.